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Lezley MeyerOwner/DirectorLezley Meyer is the visionary founder, company director, and lead choreographer of Ignite Dance Company in Waco, Texas, which she established in 2011 to provide both recreational and competitive dance training. With over 34 years of experience teaching Jazz, Lyrical, and Ballet, she began her training under Jody Grant and performed professionally in Branson, Missouri before dedicating her career to developing young dancers. Lezley also shares her expertise by judging competitions and teaching masterclasses nationwide. Her work emphasizes strong technique, artistry, and the personal growth of every dancer she teaches.
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Adia RichardsonCompany & Recreational TeacherAdia Richardson is a passionate leader committed to developing confident, skilled, and well-rounded dancers.With a degree in Kinesiology and a concentration in Dance Science from Texas A&M University, she combines technical training with a deep understanding of student growth and development. She was named the 2023–2024 Texas Dance Educator of the Year and the 2025–2026 Midway ISD Teacher of the Year for her impact both in the studio and the classroom. Her teaching is grounded in the belief that“in everything you do, do it with love,” a value that defines the heart of Ignite Dance Company.
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Macie EverittCompany Technique & Recreational TeacherMacie Everitt began dancing at the age of three and spent majority of her dance training at Ignite Dance Company. She recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Dance Concentration and has spent the past four years teaching a variety of dance classes and leading summer camps in College Station. Macie is excited to return home to Ignite this summer, where she’ll be running multiple dance camps and sharing her passion for dance back in the studio that first ignited her passion.
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McKenzie UrteagaCompany & Recreational TeacherMcKenzie Urteaga has taught at Ignite for the past 3 years, working with company and recreational dancers. She is also the Assistant Director for the Belton Magic Belles Drill Team. Her favorite part of working at Ignite is getting to work with dancers in the same studio where she developed her passion for dance.
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Melana JohnsonCompany & Recreational TeacherMelana Johnson was born and raised in China Spring, Texas, where she trained in studio dance for 15 years. She danced on the Electric Blues dance team throughout high school, serving as lieutenant and then captain, and went on to perform at the collegiate level with McLennan Community College and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.While earning her degree in education, she helped lead MCC to an NDA National Championship and continued her passion for dance through coaching and performance. Melana is now a first grade teacher, a proud mom to her daughter Saige, and continues to train in all styles—especially hip-hop and jazz.
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Meredith SuttonCompany Ballet TeacherMeredith Sutton is the dance teacher and choreographer for the Department of Theatre Arts at Baylor University. She teaches ballet, tap, and jazz, choreographs department musicals, mentors student choreographers, and serves as an advisor to the Baylor Dance Company. Recent shows include Anna Karenina, Crazy For You, Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde, and Footloose. She holds an MFA in Directing from Baylor University and a BFA in Dance Performance from West Texas A&M University. She is the mother of four amazing boys.
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JoAnn BehelerRecreational TeacherJo has been dancing since the age of three and began teaching at just 15, with a special passion for sharing the art of tap. She has taught at studios throughoutWaco and Hewitt, coached multiple drill teams, and currently directs the Lorena Legacy after founding the Moody Dance Team in 2012. In addition to teaching dance, Jo is the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Lorena High School and judges for HTE Dance Competitions across Texas. Now in her seventh year at Ignite, she loves inspiring students and sharing her lifelong love of dance.
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Hannah AndersonRecreational TeacherHannah started dancing at the age of 4. She has spent all of her training under Lezley at Ignite Dance Company. She just recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She spent her college years teaching at Dance Warehouse studios for their competitive company and recreational. She is so excited to be back home and teaching under Lezley!
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Leia UlibarriJunior Staff MemberLeia Ulibarri recently graduated from China Spring High School and will be attending Baylor University in the fall to major in Health Science Studies with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. Leia is also continuing her passion for dance as a member of Baylor’s Dance Company. She’s proud to represent both Ignite and Baylor—Sic ’Em Bears!
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Lauren HuhnOffice Manager & Social MediaLauren Huhn is a dedicated member of the Ignite Dance Company team, serving as a recreational instructor, office manager, and social media coordinator. Originally from Sonoma County, California, she began dancing and competing at the age of nine and brings that same lifelong passion into every aspect of the studio. Lauren’s organizational skills and warm presence help ensure that Ignite remains a welcoming and smooth-running environment for dancers and families alike. She balances her work behind the scenes with meaningful mentorship in the classroom, making her an essential pillar of the Ignite community
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Audrey CarneyFront DeskAudrey Carney is an Ignite Dance Company dance mom. She works the front desk once a week, but can be found around Ignite all the time because of her two daughters. Sophia, 12 years old, has been dancing at Ignite since she was 6 years old. Anna, 11 years old, has been dancing at Ignite since she was 7 years old. Both girls are members of the competition team. Ignite is such a large part of their lives that Audrey is excited to be a part of the office staff crew!
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